formaldehyde
noun
form·al·de·hyde
fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd 
fər-
: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH2O used chiefly in aqueous solution as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis
Examples of formaldehyde in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This deodorant is not tested on animals and is free of aluminum, artificial colors, parabens, and formaldehyde.
—
Laura Harold, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
For example, Erin Brockovich-style reporting is finding that in Memphis, Tennessee, Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer, Colossus, is worsening air quality due to its massive use of methane-gas turbines, emitting a smog of nitrogen oxides and toxic formaldehyde.
—Michaela Rychetska, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
In early April, the Southern Environmental Law Center estimated the turbines could produce, in a year, between 1,200 and 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, a smog-forming pollution associated with poor respiratory health in nearby areas, as well as the carcinogen formaldehyde.
—Taylor Kate Brown, ProPublica, 17 Sep. 2025
There are ingredients that can pose health risks (phthalates, formaldehyde), and others that are just potentially irritating to some (certain sulfates).
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formaldehyde
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Laura Harold, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
For example, Erin Brockovich-style reporting is finding that in Memphis, Tennessee, Elon Musk’s xAI supercomputer, Colossus, is worsening air quality due to its massive use of methane-gas turbines, emitting a smog of nitrogen oxides and toxic formaldehyde.
—Michaela Rychetska, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
In early April, the Southern Environmental Law Center estimated the turbines could produce, in a year, between 1,200 and 2,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, a smog-forming pollution associated with poor respiratory health in nearby areas, as well as the carcinogen formaldehyde.
—Taylor Kate Brown, ProPublica, 17 Sep. 2025
There are ingredients that can pose health risks (phthalates, formaldehyde), and others that are just potentially irritating to some (certain sulfates).
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for formaldehyde
Cite this Entry
“Formaldehyde.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/formaldehyde. Accessed 4 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
formaldehyde
noun
form·al·de·hyde
fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd
fər-
: a colorless gas that consists of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, has a sharp irritating odor, and when dissolved in water is used to disinfect or to prevent decay
Medical Definition
formaldehyde
noun
form·al·de·hyde
fȯr-ˈmal-də-ˌhīd, fər-
: a colorless pungent irritating gas CH2O used chiefly as a disinfectant and preservative and in chemical synthesis
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